JP2007097130A - Information processing apparatus and image processing apparatus, control method thereof, program, and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and a control method thereof, which can achieve simultaneous concurrent processing of a plurality of processing steps performing irreversible compression and improve the speed of each of the processing steps for normal image data, while preventing degradation of information for copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image data (or synthesized image data of copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image data and document data). <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus has a decision unit configured to determine whether or not print image data include copy-forgery-inhibited-pattern image data. It also has a processing unit. For image data created by the print data determined by the decision unit regarding whether or not the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data are included, based on decision results of the decision unit, the processing unit determines whether first compression processing is to be performed or second compression processing different from the first compression processing is to be performed and performs the decided compression processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a computer, a control method for the information processing apparatus, an image recording apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, a control method for the image recording apparatus, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium.

  In order to improve document management or security, a technique (including a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, a two-dimensional barcode image, and a digital watermark image) that embeds information in a specific pattern (symbol) on physical paper is known.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a tint block image among these. Specifically, the tint block image data is generated by a printer driver of the host computer. Similarly, document data and the like are generated by an application on the host computer. The document data and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data are transmitted to a printer, and the printer synthesizes these images and prints them out.

  By the way, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tint block image is composed of a latent image and a background image.

  Here, the reflection density of the latent image on the sheet and the reflection density of the background image on the sheet are substantially the same. However, on the copy obtained when the sheet is copied, the reflection density of the latent image is higher than that of the background image. The two images having such a relationship are called a latent image and a background image, respectively. The background image is composed of many small dots (about 42 um × 42 um), and the latent image is composed of a small number of large dots (about 126 um × 126 um).

  The copying machine has a reproduction capability unique to each copying machine. In any copying machine, the smaller the dots on the sheet, the less likely the dots will be reproduced on the copy obtained when the sheet is copied.

  For this reason, when a sheet having a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is copied by a copying machine, a background image composed of small dots is difficult to be reproduced (is easily lost). On the other hand, a latent image composed of large dots is easily reproduced. For this reason, even if the reflection density of the latent image and the background image on the sheet is substantially the same, the reflection density of the latent image is higher than the reflection density of the background image on the copy.

  The tint block image makes good use of this phenomenon. When a copy of a resident's card is obtained at a public office and a copy is made from the copy of the obtained resident's card, a character string such as “invalid” can be visually recognized on the copy. This is because a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image exists in the copy of the resident card.

  Here, data for forming a latent image on a sheet is referred to as latent image data. Data for forming large dots on the latent image on the sheet is referred to as latent image pattern data. FIG. 16A shows latent image image pattern data in the case of a black background pattern image.

  In this figure, black pixels are pixels having pixel values of (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0) or (C, M, Y, K) = (0, 0, 0, 255). Is shown. On the other hand, white pixels indicate pixels having pixel values of (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 255) or (C, M, Y, K) = (0, 0, 0, 0). ing.

  Data for forming a background image on a sheet is referred to as background image data. Data for forming small dots on the background image on the sheet is referred to as background image pattern data. FIG. 16B shows background image pattern data in the case of a black background pattern. As in FIG. 16A, black pixels are pixels of (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0) or (C, M, Y, K) = (0, 0, 0, 255). A pixel having a value is shown. On the other hand, white pixels indicate pixels having pixel values of (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 255) or (C, M, Y, K) = (0, 0, 0, 0). ing.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data includes black copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, cyan copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, and magenta copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data. The pixel value in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is the color of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data. It is binary.

  For example, each pixel of cyan tint block image data includes a cyan pixel and a white pixel. The cyan pixel is (R, G, B) = (0, 255, 255) or (C, M, Y, K) = (255, 0, 0, 0). The white pixels are (R, G, B) = (255, 255, 255) or (C, M, Y, K) = (255, 0, 0, 0). In this invention, data indicating where a dot is hit and where it is not hit (ie, having no halftone color information) is referred to as binary image data in the present invention. This cyan tint block image data is cyan binary image data. The black background pattern image data is black binary image data.

  There is also a technique called a two-dimensional code that is an extension of a conventional one-dimensional barcode. A two-dimensional code is a code having information in two vertical and horizontal directions. As a standardized two-dimensional code, QRCode (registered trademark) (see Patent Document 2) and the like exist and are currently generally used. Similarly to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, a technique is also known in which such two-dimensional code data and document data are generated by an application of a host computer, transmitted to the multifunction device, and these data are combined and printed out in the multifunction device. Yes.

  This two-dimensional code data is also binary image data of black and white.

  Such copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, two-dimensional code data, barcode data, and digital watermark data are collectively referred to as binary image data for information embedding.

  Furthermore, the definition of the wording used in this specification is shown below.

  Print job data: It consists of tag data and print data.

  Print data: Data indicating what kind of bitmap data should be generated. This print data is data described in a page description language (PDL).

  Document data: Data created by an application, including, for example, WORD (trademark) data and EXCEL (trademark) data. However, binary image data for information embedding is not included in this document data.

  Tag data: Additional information added to print data. Examples of information included in tag data are given below. Print the print data in 2in1. Send print data. Store print data. The print data contains binary image data for information embedding. In this way, data of “commands for multifunction devices” other than print data is referred to as tag data.

  Image: A picture on a sheet or display.

  Image data: A generic term for data for representing an image on a sheet or display. As the image data, for example, bitmap data is included. In the concept of “image data”, when defining specific data, a word corresponding to the specific data is added before “image data”. Examples are listed below.

  Binary image data: When each pixel included in the image data is indicated by 0 and 255 (when the pixel value range is 256), the image data is called binary image data.

  Background pattern image data: Bitmap data for forming a background pattern image on a sheet.

  Barcode data: Bitmap data for forming a barcode on a sheet.

  Two-dimensional code data: Bitmap data for forming a two-dimensional code on a sheet.

  Digital watermark data: Bitmap data for forming a digital watermark on a sheet.

  By the way, when the current multi-function peripheral receives print job data, it takes out the print data from the received print data, converts the extracted print data into bitmap image data, and then irreversibly compresses the print data. It has become. In this way, by irreversible compression, the memory allocation amount for the bitmap image data is reduced. As a result, there is room in the memory, and a memory allocation amount for other processing (copy processing, storage processing, data transmission / reception processing) is secured.

  In other words, current multifunction devices reduce the amount of memory allocated to each image data by irreversibly compressing the image data, so that the memory has room. The print process and other processes are performed in parallel.

  In fact, what can be realized by having enough memory in this way is not only simultaneous parallel processing. For example, when the multifunction device receives print job data containing image data with a large number of pages, the memory of the multifunction device has room, so image data after irreversible compression is generated from the print job data more and more in the memory. Can be stored. Thus, throughput can be improved by proceeding more and more.

  As described above, the irreversible compression processing in the multifunction peripheral is aimed at directly reducing the data size of the image data. Indirectly, it aims at simultaneous parallel processing of a plurality of processes and speeding up of each process.

JP 2001-197297 A JP 2002-002916 A

  JPEG compression is compression that skips high-frequency components. The higher the compression rate of JPEG compression, the higher the amount of high frequency components skipped. For this reason, when JPEG compression is performed on binary image data containing a large number of isolated dots (small areas with a density value of 255), high-frequency components are skipped and the image is lost. Here, the small region means a region including a small number of pixels such as 1 × 1 pixel (about 42 um × 42 um at 600 DPI), 2 × 2 pixel, or 3 × 3 pixel.

  When such JPEG compression (lossy compression) is performed on binary image data, the binary image data is significantly degraded and information is lost. When the binary image data for information embedding deteriorates, information is lost. Of course, if JPEG compression (lossy compression) with a very low compression rate is performed, the binary image data will not deteriorate so much, but this time the data size after JPEG compression (lossy compression) will become very large. End up. This is because binary image data contains many high-frequency components.

  This will be described below using latent image pattern data and background pattern data.

  FIG. 16A shows a state in which the latent image pattern data shown in FIG. 15A is lost when it is irreversibly compressed and expanded.

  FIG. 16B shows a state in which the background pattern data shown in FIG. 15B is lost when it is irreversibly compressed and expanded.

  FIG. 12A is an example of incomplete latent image pattern data obtained by binarizing the “smoothed” latent image pattern data shown in FIG. As can be seen from this figure, data for forming large dots on the sheet has been converted into data for forming medium dots and small dots on the sheet.

  FIG. 12B is an example of incomplete background pattern data obtained by binarizing the “smoothed” background pattern data shown in FIG. As can be seen from this figure, data for forming small dots on the sheet has been converted into data for forming medium dots and small dots on the sheet.

  As described above, when medium dots and small dots are included in both the latent image pattern data and the background pattern data, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is no longer copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data. Even if a sheet formed by printing out copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is copied, a character string such as “invalid” does not appear on the copied material.

  As described above with reference to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, when the irreversible compression is performed on the binary image data, the dot positions are shifted. If the dot position is shifted, the information cannot be embedded in the binary image data for embedding the information. Specifically, in the case of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, a character string does not appear in a copy in a visible manner. In the case of digital watermark data, barcode, or two-dimensional code, the code reader or watermark reader cannot read the information.

  The present invention solves the above problems.

  A first object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and information for instructing an image processing apparatus that performs irreversible compression on image data so that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data to be printed in combination with original data is normally printed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a processing apparatus.

  The second purpose is to perform irreversible compression on normal image data to realize simultaneous processing of a plurality of processes and speeding up of each process, while the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data (or copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and document data). It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a method for controlling the image processing apparatus capable of preventing deterioration of information.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a determination unit that determines whether the print data includes copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data;
A first compression process is performed on the image data created from the print data that has been determined whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included by the determination unit based on a determination result in the determination unit, or the first compression is performed An image processing apparatus is provided that includes processing means for determining whether to perform a second compression process different from the process, and performing the determined compression process.

According to another aspect of the present invention, print data generation means for generating print data including document data and binary image data for embedding information to be combined with the document data;
Additional information generating means for generating additional information indicating that the binary image data is included, and additional information generated by the additional information generating means is added to the print data generated by the print data generating means. There is provided an information processing apparatus having transmission means for transmitting print job data to an image processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus and information for instructing an image processing apparatus that performs irreversible compression on image data so that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data to be printed in combination with original data is normally printed. A method for controlling a processing apparatus can be provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data (or copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and an original document is performed while performing irreversible compression on normal image data to realize simultaneous processing of a plurality of processes and speeding up of each process. Deterioration of information can be prevented with respect to composite image data).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of a system including a computer and a multifunction peripheral, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

  Note that the present invention can be applied to a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices as long as the functions of the present invention are executed. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a system that is connected via a network such as a LAN (local area network) or a WAN (wide area network) and performs processing.

(Configuration of printing system)
The host computer 3000 has the following configuration. That is, a CPU 1, a RAM 2, a ROM (read only memory) 3, a keyboard controller (KBC) 5, a CRT controller (CRTC) 6, a disk controller (DKC) 7, and a multifunction device controller (PRTC) 8. Have. These components are connected to each other via the system bus 4.

  The CPU 1 executes the following control based on a document processing program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11. In other words, the CPU 1 generates a document in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), and the like are mixed, and processing for printing the generated document, including processing according to each embodiment of the present invention described later. And control execution. The CPU 1 summarizes the control of each device connected to the system bus 4. An operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) or the like is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11. Further, the font ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 stores font data used when generating a document. Further, the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 stores various data used when generating a document. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 1.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display by a CRT display (CRT) 10 including display of a background pattern. A disk controller (DKC) 7 controls access to an external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD). The external memory 11 stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, a multifunction device control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as “multifunction device driver”), and the like. A multi-function device controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the multi-function device 1500 via the bidirectional interface 21 and executes communication control processing with the multi-function device 1500. The interface may be abbreviated as “I / F”.

  The CPU 1 opens various windows registered in advance based on commands instructed with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. When executing printing, the user can open a window relating to print settings, and perform settings of a print processing method for the multifunction device driver, including settings of the multifunction device and selection of a print mode.

  In the MFP 1500, the CPU 12, the RAM 19, the ROM 13, the input unit 18, the print I / F 16, the operation unit 1501, and the memory controller (MC) 20 are connected to each other via the system bus 15. It is.

  The MFP 1500 is controlled by the CPU 12. That is, the CPU 12 controls the entire MFP 1500 based on a control program stored in the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. The CPU 12 controls the entire MFP 1500 in an integrated manner and outputs an image signal as print output information to a printing unit (MFP engine) 17 connected to the system bus 15.

  The program ROM of the ROM 13 stores a control program for the CPU 12 and the like. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the print output information. The data ROM of the ROM 13 stores information used on the computer in the case of a multi-function peripheral that does not have an external memory 14 such as a hard disk.

  The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with a computer via the input unit 18. As a result, information in the MFP 1500 can be notified to the host computer 3000. The RAM 19 is a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, or the like for the CPU 12. Further, the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like.

  Access to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like.

  Further, the MFP 1500 may have an NVRAM (not shown) and store MFP mode setting information from the operation unit 1501.

  The printing unit 17 is an electrophotographic engine in this embodiment. Therefore, the image data including the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is finally recorded on a medium such as paper by toner dots. Of course, the printing method according to the present invention is not limited to such an electrophotographic method. For example, the present invention can be applied to any type of printing apparatus that performs printing by forming dots, such as an inkjet method.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration for print processing in the host computer 3000 of FIG. The application 201, graphic engine 202, multifunction device driver 203, and system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the external memory 11. These are program modules that are loaded into the RAM 2 and executed by the OS and modules that use the modules.

  The application 201 and the multifunction device driver 203 can be added to the HD of the external memory 11 via the FD of the external memory 11, a CD-ROM (not shown), or a network (not shown). The application 201 stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed. When printing from the application 201 to the multi-function device 1500, output (rendering) is performed using the graphic engine 202 that is similarly loaded into the RAM 2 and executable.

  The graphic engine 202 loads a multifunction device driver 203 prepared for each printing apparatus such as a multifunction device from the external memory 11 to the RAM 2, and sets the output of the application 201 in the multifunction device driver 203. The graphic engine 202 converts a GDI (Graphic Device Interface) function received from the application 201 into a DDI (Device Driver Interface) function and outputs the converted function to the multifunction device driver 203. Based on the DDI function received from the graphic engine 202, the multifunction device driver 203 converts the multifunction device into a control command that can be recognized by the multifunction device, for example, PDL (Page Description Language). The converted multifunction device control command is output as print data to the multifunction device 1500 via the interface 21 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.

  FIG. 3 shows a memory map in which a printing-related module including a printing program is loaded into the RAM 2 on the host computer 300 and becomes executable. In FIG. 3, 301 is a printing application, 302 is a free memory, 303 is printing-related data, 304 is a printing-related program, 305 is an OS, and 306 is a BIOS. The print control program in this embodiment exists as part of the print-related program 304.

  Here, a procedure from generation to transmission of print job data including binary image data for information embedding in the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, a tint block image will be described as an example of a binary image for information embedding. First, the application creates document data. When the user gives an instruction to print the created document data, the multifunction device driver is activated and the multifunction device driver screen is displayed on the UI. Using this multifunction device driver screen, the user can select a multifunction device to be printed or select print settings. It is also possible to select tint block printing, digital watermark printing, or two-dimensional code printing.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image printing is a function for combining and printing the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and the document data. Digital watermark printing is a function for printing digital watermark data and original data by combining them. Also, the two-dimensional code printing is a function for combining and printing two-dimensional code data and document data.

  When the user confirms the print setting instruction or the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image printing using the printer driver screen, the multifunction device driver executes the following processing.

  First, the multifunction device driver generates tint block image data. The multifunction peripheral driver generates print data from the generated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and document data received from the application via the OS. Further, the multifunction device driver adds (associates) tag data to the print data to generate print job data. The multifunction device driver requests the OS to transmit the generated print job data. As a result, the host computer transmits print job data to the multi-function peripheral.

  FIG. 4 shows “print data including binary image data for information embedding when sending print data 401 including binary image data for information embedding from the host computer 3000 to the MFP 1500. The tag 402 indicating “” is added to the print data 401.

  When the MFP 1500 receives the print job data created as described above, the MFP 1500 executes the following processing. First, the MFP 1500 separates the received print job data into tag data and print data. Furthermore, the MFP 1500 sets image processing (low compression rate, etc.) to be performed on composite image data, which will be described later, based on the tag data. The multi-function device 1500 interprets the print data and generates intermediate data. The intermediate data includes copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image intermediate data and original document intermediate data. Further, the MFP 1500 generates copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data (bitmap data) from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image intermediate data, and document image data (bitmap data) from the document intermediate data. Two pieces of generated image data are combined to generate combined image data (bitmap data). The composite image data is compressed at a low compression rate, and the composite image data after compression is stored. Further, the compressed composite image data after compression is expanded to generate new composite image data (bitmap data).

  FIG. 5 shows a state of processing at the time of reception by the multi-function device 1500. Upon receiving the print job data including the print data 401 including the binary image data for embedding information and the tag data 402 from the host computer 300, the multi-function device 1500 analyzes, sets, and controls the received content (511). . As described above, in the print data 401 including binary image data for information embedding, the document data and the binary image data for information embedding are not yet combined.

  In analysis, setting, and control of received contents, tag data 402 is analyzed and image processing is set. This setting refers to the inhibition factor / correspondence setting (512) for print data including binary image data for embedding information and document data from the table, and changes the setting of each image processing.

  Various types of image processing on the MFP side that may adversely affect print data including binary image data for information embedding (hereinafter, factors affecting the image processing on the MFP side that may have an adverse effect) Example). First, in the case of compression processing (513), the inhibiting factor is irreversible compression (irreversible compression). In the case of color processing (514), the obstruction factor is gradation priority processing. This gradation priority processing is to perform color matching processing suitable for a photograph (image) image. In color matching processing suitable for an image, it is common to perform matching processing giving priority to color. When the matching process giving priority to the color is performed, the image is smooth, but the saturation may be lowered. When gradation priority processing is performed on binary image data for information embedding, a part of the binary image data for information embedding after this processing is a binary image for original information embedding It will be different from the data. For this reason, the binary image for embedding the image information on the image of the printed matter after printing is blurred and the saturation is lowered, and the binary image for information embedding cannot be accurately reproduced. Sometimes. In addition, the obstruction factor of the electronic processing (515) is the execution of the electronic processing.

  On the other hand, tag data 402 indicating that binary image data for information embedding is included in the print job data in order to suppress adverse effects on the binary image data for information embedding due to these inhibition factors. Is present, the setting of the above process is changed as follows. First, in the case of compression processing (513), lossless compression (lossless compression) is set. In the case of color processing (514), the corresponding setting is vividness priority processing. Brightness priority processing refers to color matching processing that increases the contrast of image data. In the case of the digitization process (515), the setting is such that the digitization process cannot be executed.

  In addition to the above-described obstacle factors, there are resources and process-related items, for example, the amount of installed memory, the number of parallel operations of processes, paper conveyance control, and the like.

  FIG. 6 shows print data including binary image data for information embedding when print data 601 including binary image data for information embedding is sent from the host computer 3000 to the MFP 1500. The contents of tag data 602 indicating the The tag data 602 is added to the print data 601. The tag data 602 includes at least DEFAULT / ON / OFF / AUTO indicating function information of binary image data for information embedding and binary image data type information for information embedding.

  DEFAULT / ON / OFF / AUTO indicating the function information of binary image data for information embedding instructs the multifunction device to control contents for print data including binary image data for information embedding. It is a command. The DEFAULT command is a command for instructing to use the default setting of the multifunction device. The ON command is a command for giving an instruction for performing optimum processing on binary image data for information embedding. That is, when the command is ON, for example, it means that the compression processing of the multifunction device is changed from lossy compression to lossless compression. Note that the OFF command has the opposite meaning of the ON command and is an instruction command indicating that optimum processing is not performed. The AUTO command is a command for instructing to change the control appropriately for the print data including the binary image data for information embedding based on the judgment of the multi-function peripheral. The tag data having such information is represented as 602 in FIG. Also, in the lower part of 602, the above-described various information is described in a format indicated by 604 or 605. Of course, 602, 604, and 605 are tag data.

  The tag data is encrypted by the encryption unit (606) of the host computer 3000, and decrypted by the decryption unit (607) on the MFP 1500 side.

  Next, an interface for setting the contents of the tag data shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. This interface is an example of a user interface on the CRT 10 of the host computer 3000. [Document with binary image for information embedding] dialog 700 includes [optimum control] menu 701 which is a function information control menu, and a code and specific pattern type information which is a binary image for information embedding. [Type] menu 703, which is a designated menu. [Optimal control] menu 701 has several selectable commands [DEFAULT / ON / OFF / AUTO], some of which are shown in the field indicated by 702 in FIG. In the [Pattern Type] menu 703, type information (such as [2D Code]) regarding binary image data for information embedding is listed. The settings in this dialog 700 are confirmed when the [OK] button 705 is pressed, and this dialog 700 is closed.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the setting target range. When print data including binary image data for information embedding is sent from the host computer 3000 to the MFP 1500, tag data indicating that the print data includes binary image data for information embedding It is added to the print data.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the control program. This corresponds to a flow during operation of the multi-function device 1500 when the multi-function device 1500 receives print job data transmitted from the host computer 3000.

  In step S900, when print data is input from the host computer 3000, job processing is started, and loop processing from step S901 to step S940 is entered. In step S910, in reading the print job data transmitted from the host computer 3000, the print data and the tag data are separated and the settings in the tag data are analyzed. The setting analysis in the tag data is performed by manipulating the tag 953 via the property 952 and the method 951 of the tag 950 class. Subsequently, in step S912, tag setting information is acquired. In step S913, the presence / absence of binary image data for information embedding is determined from the acquired tag setting information. If it is determined in step S913 that there is no binary image data for information embedding, normal printing processing is executed in step S927. More specifically, after interpreting print data described in a page description language to create intermediate data, the intermediate data is rasterized to generate bitmap data. Further, the generated bitmap data is irreversibly compressed with a normal compression table, and the data after irreversible compression is stored in the memory. Then, the data after irreversible compression is read from the memory, decompressed, color converted, binarized, and printed on a sheet.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S913 that there is binary image data for information embedding based on the tag data, in step S920, each print function is preset. This pre-setting is the processing routine indicated by the print 921 in FIG. 9, and the print 921 is the same as that described as the print class 960. The print class 960 includes functions 966, a compression function 963, a color processing function 964, and a document electronic function 965, and various function settings of the multifunction peripheral are operated via the property 962 and the method 961. Each function 966 indicates an arbitrary function other than the compression function 963, the color processing function 964, and the document electronic function 965. Of course, if there are functions other than the compression function 963, the color processing function 964, and the document digitizing function 965 as functions having an obstruction factor, these functions are also operated based on the tag data.

  In step S922, the effective range of the control target is set based on the contents of the tag data obtained from the analysis in step S910. This relates to the effective range indicated by the job 802 and the document 803 shown in FIG. Next, in step S923, an inhibition factor and a corresponding setting for each function are acquired. These correspond to the inhibition factors described above and corresponding settings for avoiding the inhibition state. In the present embodiment, when function information is acquired from tag data, and the function information is set to instruct to avoid the obstruction factor of binary image data for information embedding, the function information is stored in advance in the multifunction device. The corresponding setting is read, and each function is changed to the corresponding setting. Of course, it is also possible to store up to the corresponding setting in the tag data and change the setting of each function with the corresponding setting obtained by analyzing the tag data. This correspondence setting is performed in step S924. In step S924, setting items that may adversely affect binary image data for information embedding are saved (cancelled) among the current settings of each function set in the multifunction peripheral. Thereafter, in step S925, each function is changed to a corresponding setting.

  Subsequently, the loop processing 926 is entered within the target range set in step S922. In the loop 926, the printing control (S927) is processed with the corresponding setting performed in step S925. In step S929, the processing of the target range is terminated.

  In step S930, post-setting of each print function is performed, and print processing of the print job is executed by the print class 931. After the printing of the print job is completed in the print class 931, in step S932, processing for restoring the setting of each function saved in step S924 is performed (returned).

  A series of these processes is performed up to job loop step S940, and the job is terminated in step S941.

  As described above, the printer driver in the host computer makes various settings relating to binary image data for information embedding, and the multifunction peripheral performs composition / print output. Here, the present embodiment has been described on the assumption that the host computer and the multifunction machine are separate bodies.

  However, the host computer and the multifunction machine are not separate and may be integrated. 1050 in FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation unit in this integrated apparatus. Reference numeral 1010 denotes an area for the user to make various settings related to binary image data for information embedding.

  By various settings using 1010, a document with binary image data added for information embedding is generated as in 1020. After generation, the document is separated into binary image data and image processing is performed in consideration of the inhibition factor / correspondence setting (512).

<Second Embodiment>
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the inhibition factor elimination means in the case of compression processing (513) in the multi-function device 1500. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the lossy compression (irreversible compression) is changed to lossless compression (reversible compression) in order to suppress adverse effects on binary image data for information embedding.

  In the present embodiment, the irreversible compression (irreversible compression) is changed to the irreversible compression having a lower compression rate (lower image quality degradation).

  With reference to FIG. 11, processing at the time of reception by the MFP 1500 will be described. The MFP 1500 that has received the print job data including the tag data 402 in addition to the print data 401 including the binary image data and document data for embedding information performs the following processing. That is, analysis, setting, and control of received contents are executed (511), the tag data 402 is analyzed, and setting processing for each function is performed. This setting process refers to the inhibition factor / correspondence setting (512) for print data including binary image data for embedding information possessed by each function from the table, and changes the setting of each function.

  Note that the lossy compression with a high compression rate (1121) and the lossy compression with a low compression rate (1120) are realized by switching the compression table in accordance with the contents of the tag data 402. Hereinafter, the lossy compression with a high compression rate is referred to as high compression and high compression processing, and the lossy compression with a low compression rate is sometimes referred to as low compression and low compression processing. An example of a method for switching the compression table according to the contents of the tag data 402 is as follows.

  When the “binary image data for information embedding” is not included in the tag data 402, the lossy compression (1121) with a high compression rate is used. When “binary image data for information embedding” is added to the tag data 402, irreversible compression (1120) with a low compression rate is used. The compression table A (1131) is used for irreversible compression at a high compression rate, and the compression table C (1133) is used for irreversible compression at a low compression rate.

  As described above, the present system can appropriately switch between high compression and low compression within the lossy compression according to the print target with reference to the tag data.

<Third Embodiment>
Compared with the first embodiment, the present embodiment incorporates the amount of memory installed in the multifunction peripheral and the color of the tint block image into the determination factors in the analysis, setting and control (511) of the received content. . This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, a tint block image is taken as a binary image for information embedding.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data includes 2 × 2 = 4 types of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data of “Color” and “Mono”, “Whole”, and “Partial”. That is, there are full color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, partial color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, full-color black copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, and partial black-copy-printed pattern image data.

Here, (1) has the largest data size, and (3) has the smallest data size.
(1) Full color tint block image data (2) Partial color tint block image data, full black tint block image data (3) Partial black tint block image data In the first and second embodiments, “color” and “ The control is performed without considering the information of “black”, “entire surface”, and “part”, but in this embodiment, the control is performed in consideration of the information.

Next, FIG. 13 will be described.
Before explaining the flowchart, the premise will be briefly described. First, when the multi-function peripheral has an extended memory, since there is room in the memory, print output is performed on all the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data (1) to (3). At the time of print output, it goes through an irreversible compression process using a table with a low compression rate.

  Further, when the multi-function peripheral has only a standard memory, since there is not enough memory, print output is performed for (3) having a small data size. Note that, at the time of print output, a lossy compression process using a table with a low compression rate is also used. On the other hand, print output for (1) and (2) is not performed. This is because the data sizes of (1) and (2) are too large, and the memory of the multi-function device is overstressed.

  Regardless of the memory capacity of the multi-function peripheral, when only document data is printed, it goes through an irreversible compression process using a table with a high compression rate.

  In the MFP 1500 that has received print job data including tag data 402 in addition to print data 401 including binary image data and document data for information embedding, first, analysis, setting, and control of received contents are performed. Is executed (1311). That is, the tag data 402 is analyzed, and setting processing for each function is performed. In this setting process, the inhibition factor / correspondence setting (1312) for print data including binary image data for information embedding is referred to from the table, and the setting of each image process is changed. Note that the content 1303 of the tag data 402 includes region information indicating an area occupied by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image. This Region information includes values of No (no background pattern image), Partial (partial background pattern image), and Whole (full area background pattern image). Also, there is Color information indicating the color of the tint block image, and the values of MONO and Color (cyan, magenta) can be taken.

  The CPU expansion processing in the MFP 1500 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined from the received print job data based on the tag data whether there is copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data in the print data (step 1401).

  If it is determined that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is not added, normal printing is executed. In normal printing, document data included in print data is converted into bitmap data. Then, the converted bitmap data is subjected to irreversible compression at a high compression rate and stored in the memory. Then, the data stored in the memory is expanded, subjected to color conversion using a normal color conversion table, and printed on a sheet.

  If it is determined that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data has been added, the process proceeds to step 1403 to check whether or not there is an extended memory. If there is an extended memory, the process proceeds to step 1420. Then, setup at the time of memory expansion is performed (step 1420), and a low compression table is set (step 1421). Further, in order to perform color conversion according to the color of the tint block image data, a color conversion table according to the color of the tint block image data is set (step 1422).

  That is, when the memory capacity is large and there is a margin, it is set so that it can be irreversibly compressed at a low compression rate.

  In this embodiment, the standard memory has a capacity of 1 GB, whereas the expansion memory has a capacity of 0.5 GB. Therefore, if there is an extended memory, the total memory capacity is 1.5G.

  If there is no extended memory, the process proceeds to step 1404, and it is determined whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data occupies the entire surface or a part of the document data.

  When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data occupies the entire surface of the document data, the data amount is originally very large. For this reason, even if the lossy compression is performed at a low compression rate, the data size does not become so small, so even if the compression rate is low, the memory is compressed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 1406 to cancel the job. The canceled information is displayed on the panel of the copying machine and / or the display of the host computer.

  If the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data occupies a part of the document data, the process proceeds to step 1405 to determine whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is color or black.

  In the case of color, the amount of data is originally very large. For this reason, even if the lossy compression is performed at a low compression rate, the data size does not become so small, so even if the compression rate is low, the memory is compressed. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 1406 to cancel the job. The canceled information is displayed on the panel of the copying machine and / or the display of the host computer (step 1407).

  If it is black, the process proceeds to step 1410, the memory standard time is set up, and a low compression table is set (step 1411). Further, in order to perform color conversion according to the color of the tint block image data, a color conversion table according to the color of the tint block image data is set (step 1412).

  When the compression table is set as described above, the following processing is performed thereafter. First, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and the document data are combined in units of 32 pixels × 32 pixels, and the combined image data is irreversibly compressed using a set compression table. Then, the composite image data after irreversible compression in units of 32 pixels × 32 pixels is stored in the memory. When composite image data after irreversible compression of the entire page is stored in the memory, sheet conveyance is started from the sheet feeding unit. When the conveyance of the sheet reaches a certain position, the composite image data after irreversible compression from the memory starts to be read in units of 32 pixels × 32 pixels. Then, decompression processing is performed on the read composite image data, and color conversion is performed using the set color conversion table, and printed out on a sheet.

<Fourth embodiment>
The fourth embodiment shows how to combine a plurality of document data and a plurality of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data when different copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is set to be combined with a plurality of document data to be combined. Then, print data is generated and what kind of tag data is generated will be described.

  Normally, when there are a plurality of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, it seems that there is no problem if a plurality of tag data describing information related to each copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is generated.

  However, if information relating to the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is described for each original data in this way, there arises a problem that certain original data is printed and printing of other original data is canceled. For example, document data to be combined with black and white partial copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is printed as composite image data, and printing of document data to be combined with color full-color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is canceled.

  On the other hand, this is very uncomfortable for a user who has instructed printing by combining a plurality of document data because he / she wants to print a plurality of document data as a set.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when combining a plurality of document data, even if the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data to be combined with each document data is different, only one type of information is included in the tag data. Absent.

  Specifically, copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data 1 (full-color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data) is scheduled to be combined with document data 1, and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data 2 (partial black copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image) is to be combined with document data 2. Let's assume that the data is scheduled to be combined. Further, let us assume a case where the combination of the document data 1 and the document data 2 is instructed.

  In such a case, print data including the document data 1 and 2 and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data 1 and 2 is generated, and tag data including information such as full-color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is generated.

  As a result, printing of all the print data is canceled, and it is possible to prevent only one original data from being printed.

The rules for generating tag data are as follows. The left side of> indicates that the priority is high.
(1) Color> Black (2) Whole surface>Part> None By this rule, for example, when color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and black copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data exist, tag data including information such as color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is generated. Will be. In the present embodiment, the tag data generation rule when combining a plurality of document data to be combined with different copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data has been described. However, according to the present invention, the application of this rule is not limited to the combination. For example, tag data is generated according to the same rule for tag data added to one document data having a plurality of pages scheduled to be combined with different copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data.

(Other)
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a computer, an interface device, a reader, a multifunction device, etc.), and a device (copier, multifunction device, facsimile device, etc.) composed of a single device. You may apply to.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or apparatus reading out and executing the program code from a storage medium storing the program code for realizing the procedure of the flowchart shown in each embodiment. Is done.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. Furthermore, the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code and the OS running on the computer is included.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After this writing, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for print processing in the host computer 3000 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a memory map diagram in the host computer 3000 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram at the time of transmission from the host computer 3000 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram at the time of reception to the multi-function device 1500 of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of the tag 602. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a user interface. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting object range. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control program stored in program ROM of ROM3 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of application to a copy function. It is a schematic diagram when switching the compression level between irreversible compression. (A) is a figure which shows latent image pattern data, (B) is a figure which shows background pattern data. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of tag contents and MFP control. 5 is a flowchart of multifunction device control. (A) is a diagram showing latent image pattern data after irreversible compression, expansion, and binarization, and (B) is a diagram showing background pattern data after irreversible compression, expansion, and binarization. (A) is a diagram showing latent image pattern data after irreversible compression and expansion, and (B) is a diagram showing background pattern data after irreversible compression and expansion. )

Explanation of symbols

1, 12 CPU
3, 13 ROM
2, 19 RAM
1500 printer 3000 computer

Claims (22)

Determining means for determining whether the print data includes copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data;
A first compression process is performed on the image data created from the print data that has been determined whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included by the determination unit based on a determination result in the determination unit, or the first compression is performed An image processing apparatus comprising: processing means for determining whether to perform a second compression process different from the process, and performing the determined compression process.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second compression process is a compression process with less image degradation than the first compression process. The processing means includes
A compression unit that performs the first compression process on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data created by the print data when the determination unit determines that the print-pattern data is not included in the print data;
A second processing unit that performs the second compression process on the image data created from the print data when the determination unit determines that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data; The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The second processing means includes
Second determination means for determining whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is color when the determination means determines that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data;
A canceling unit for canceling the printing process of the image data created by the print data when the second determination unit determines that the tint block image data is color;
And a second compression unit that performs the second compression process on the image data created from the print data when the second determination unit determines that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is not color. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3. The second processing means includes
When it is determined by the determination means that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data, the second image data is generated from the print data based on the area information occupied by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data. Decide whether to perform the compression process or cancel the printing process,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the second compression process is to be performed, the second compression process is performed on the image data generated by the print data. Print data generation means for generating print data including document data and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data to be combined with the document data;
Indicates that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data so that the image data included in the print data and the composite image data to be generated from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data are subjected to compression processing with little image quality deterioration. Additional information generating means for generating additional information;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit print job data obtained by adding the additional information generated by the additional information generation unit to the print data generated by the print data generation unit. The additional information generating means includes
The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the additional information is generated so that information indicating whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is color or monochrome is included. The additional information generating means includes
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data includes color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, the additional information is generated so that information indicating that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is monochrome is included. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7. The additional information generating means includes
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the additional information is generated so as to include area information occupied by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data. The additional information generating means includes
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data includes partial copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and full-scale copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, the additional information is generated so that information indicating that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is full-scale copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9. A determination step of determining whether the print data includes copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data;
Based on the determination result in the determination step, the first compression process is performed on the image data created from the print data determined whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the determination step, or the first compression is performed. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: determining whether to perform a second compression process different from the process, and performing the determined compression process.   12. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second compression process is a compression process with less image deterioration than the first compression process. The processing step includes
A compression step of performing the first compression processing on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data created from the print data when it is determined that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is not included in the print data by the determination step;
A second processing step of performing the second compression processing on the image data created by the print data when it is determined by the determination step that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data; 13. The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: The second processing step includes
A second determination step for determining whether the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is color when it is determined that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data by the determination step;
A stop step of stopping the print processing of the image data created by the print data when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is determined to be color in the second determination step;
And a second compression step of performing the second compression process on the image data created from the print data when it is determined in the second determination step that the tint block image data is not color. The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: The second processing step includes
When it is determined by the determination step that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data, the second data is generated for the image data created by the print data based on the area information occupied by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data. Decide whether to perform the compression process or cancel the printing process,
13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when it is determined that the second compression process is to be performed, the second compression process is performed on the image data created by the print data. Control method. A print data generation step for generating print data including document data and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data to be combined with the document data;
Indicates that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is included in the print data so that the image data included in the print data and the composite image data to be generated from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data are subjected to compression processing with little image quality deterioration. An additional information generation step of generating additional information;
And a transmission step of transmitting print job data in which the additional information generated in the additional information generation step is added to the print data generated in the print data generation step. The additional information generation step includes:
The method according to claim 16, wherein the additional information is generated so that information indicating whether the tint block image data is color or monochrome is included. The additional information generation step includes:
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data includes color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and monochrome copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, the additional information is generated so that information indicating that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is monochrome is included. The method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 17. The additional information generation step includes:
The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the additional information is generated so as to include area information occupied by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data. The additional information generation step includes:
When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data includes partial copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data and full-scale copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data, the additional information is generated so that information indicating that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data is full-scale copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image data The method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the information processing apparatus is controlled.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 21.

Images